The Friday Five – The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (@alzassociation) was held this past week in Chicago and it was full of ground breaking findings, announcements and firsts. According to the Alzheimer’s Association each year AAIC convenes the world’s leading basic science and clinical researchers, next generation investigators, clinicians and the care research community to share research discoveries that will lead to methods of prevention and treatment, and improvements in diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease. This year’s event did not disappoint and we followed the action on Twitter every step of the way in order to bring to you a few of the highlights for this week’s Friday Five.
Sprint for Discovery: New Dementia and Cardiovascular Findings
An exciting announcement was made at the conference giving hope to those diagnosed with dementia. New research results from a large, randomized clinical trial show aggressive treatment of high blood pressure (targeting a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 120 mm Hg) resulting in fewer new cases of mild cognitive impairment (slight but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities that is not severe enough to interfere with daily life) and dementia.
“These findings are exciting because they show — more conclusively than ever before — that there are things we can do to reduce risk.” Our @DrMariaAlz on today’s research news out of #AAIC18 showing link between blood pressure & MCI/dementia risk. https://t.co/KTYfToYdR8 #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/s7L8GUrwF2
— Alzheimer’s Assoc. (@alzassociation) July 26, 2018
Plenary Speaker Henry Brodaty, M.D.
Professor Henry Brodaty, co-director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of New South Wales, highlights the discrimination dementia patients often face.
This is unacceptable. Let’s #DisruptDementia. “A person has a stroke, they are given a program. A person is diagnosed with dementia, they are told to get their affairs in order.” – Henry Brodaty @UNSW #AAIC18 pic.twitter.com/3SexSvORyB
— Nick Barracca (@NBarracca) July 24, 2018
Putting High School Students in their Elders’ Shoes
Chicago high school students learn what it is like to be an elderly person with dementia and other age related diseases through virtual reality. Details about the program were shared at the conference.
More breaking news out of #AAIC18: Virtual reality may help high school and medical students experience life with dementia first hand. https://t.co/JTdENP1hcr #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/c4Our7g4Us
— Alzheimer’s Assoc. (@alzassociation) July 23, 2018
Women Represent at this Year’s Conference
Alzheimer’s Association Chief Science Officer @DrMariaALZ announces that this year’s AAIC has the highest percentage ever of female attendees at 52.5%. #WomenInSTEM #AAIC18 pic.twitter.com/YlAQ8F8Hps
— Alzheimer’s Assoc. (@alzassociation) July 22, 2018
Host City Shows Support for the Conference
Thank you, #Chicago, for going purple this week in honor of all the brilliant leaders in dementia research coming together at #AAIC18 to move the fight to #ENDALZ forward. 🎡🌃 pic.twitter.com/ram0uoEVzH
— Alzheimer’s Assoc. (@alzassociation) July 25, 2018
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
